The diamond drill., 1887-07-23

uce. IL was In the Berryessa district.
a few miles northeast Of San jose.
and seven miles from Alyiso, at the
head Of San Francisco bay nayiga-
ton.
One day, early in August. was out
in the mountains east of the valley,
hunting after my favorite saddle
horse. 1 was on foot. and carried a
''riattaP in my hand-a genuine Span
ish lassc made of rawhide, same as Is
universally made by Mexicans, native
Californians, and ''yacqueros" gener-
ally. All had 10 do when | found
my horse was To throw the riatta over
his head, take half-hitch around his
nose. leap upon his back, and ride
home. But did not find my horse.
After tramp of three or four hours
] was getting back homeward, hungry
and tired. As passed down through
the foothills just east Of Niles ranch,
spied somebody sitting on a rock. He
was qneer-looking gentleman, OF
medium stature, with a gray coat.
light felt hat. white whiskers away
under his chin, and peculiar look
generally. He had note book i'm his
hand aud was SO busily engaged in
writing that he did not notice my APP
proach until | was within few feet
Of him.
To my salutation of Good evening,
sir, he courteonsly responded; then
said: Are you acquainted around
here. sirp"
Yes, sir. for some years past. /
am ranching just below yonder. where
you see that big evergreen tree"
The whole valley lay spread out in
pastoral panoramic beauty. checkered
on into neatly-fcnced farms, with
lovely groves, orchards, vineyards.
cottage dwellings. and farm-houses
scattered all over the landscape.
"Now that's Alyiso." said he. "but
what road Is that running south from
IL among the treesg"
That's the Santa Clara road. sir.
and the town you see there among the
trees is Santa Clara, where the old
Mission church is. and the old orchard.
established by the Jesuit fathers "A
hundred years ago.
He noted this down and asked:
whats that heavy row of trees be-
yond Santa Clara, 10 the south
wardp7
That's the Alameda, n beautiful
shaded road three miles long, from
Santa Clara To the pueblo, or city, of
San Jose. Ii has two rows Of shade
trees on each side, planted about a
hundred years ago by the native In
dians, under the direction of the
priests. Every Sunday this road used
TO be swept clean, and the holy faith
ers, or padres, with their congrega-
ton, used 10 march in procession from
the pueblo 10 the church al the Mission
for divine service That's San Jose
that YOU see OF 60 the left
Yes. / know; | was there yester-
day. It's avery nice town
He eyed me somewhat curiously and
remarked: That's what they call q
lasso. isn't it?"
"les, sir. I've been out hunting
after stray horse. but couldn't find
him. SO I'm just getting home. I'll get
after him on horseback tomorrow
''But | always thought the lasso had
90 be used exclusively by man on
horseback. How would you run a
horse down on foot and catch him
With that rope9'
Il
the horse at all Id just approach
him quietly, speak 10 him gently. and
slip the rope over his neck But IL he
tried TO play shy I'd Just throw the
loop OF the lasso open. this way, and
drag L. along behind me thus. watch
my chance, and give IL side east this
way. getting IL over his head before he
had achunce to dodge"
The old gent had been sitting sort of
sideways on the rock all this time,
from some peculiar reason. as he sub
sequently explained. but right here he
arose. laid down his note book ex-
claiming; That's good; in fact. may
say cleyerly done. II you can lasso a
wild Texas steer as well as you did
that bush, all YOU have 10 do is to 90
down into Colorado or New Mexico
and make your fortune. Let me try
that
"All right, sir hold IL just this way
and swing it few times around
your head after the regular horseback
style, and give 10 a east over the crit
ters horns. like this.
II see, said the old chap. with an In
creased twinkle of his pleasant gray
eyes. Here goes for yoH; you just
stand still.
His east was eminently successful.
for he caught himself by the left leg
and right shoulder.
Bravo" said l. That's a fancy
east 10 catch the animal by the shank.
II takes an experienced vacquero 10 do
that. II YOU hadn't raised your hoof
just as you threw You couldn't have
done IL. That's a chance they have to